Has it really been four years? This thought crossed my mind as I watched the familiar vineyards and cypress trees roll by from the train. It had been four years since my last trip to Italy, one of my top favorite destinations worldwide. This time, I was exploring Lombardy in Northern Italy—a region Id often driven through en route to Tuscany without stopping.Im unsure why I overlooked Lombardy so many times, given its position on the path to Tuscany, where Ive traveled extensively. Italy tops my

A festival dedicated to beer? Count me in! While Munich isnt my top destination year-round, Oktoberfest draws me back every time. Discover fun facts about the worlds largest beer festival and my top tips at the end.Oktoberfest remains my favorite German festival. When I lived in Germany, I visited Munich almost annually to immerse myself in Bavarian beer culture.Though Ive only returned a few times since leaving in 2006—my last visit five years ago—I was thrilled when my friend Rikka, on her r

Markets are an essential part of exploring any city, offering vibrant atmospheres, unique finds, and local flavors. From flea markets to fresh produce stalls, Ive sought them out worldwide—Berlin last month, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires, Southeast Asia, and New York City. As Londons longest-term resident, Ive visited every market here, making weekend rituals of hunting vintage clothes, unique gifts, fresh flowers, produce, or snacks. Discover my top six must-visit London markets—each distin

Choosing just one image from the 1,500 photos I captured during my week-long Ring Road adventure in Iceland was incredibly challenging. This photogenic paradise offers breathtaking landscapes, waterfalls, geysers, coastlines, and glaciers around every corner. I selected this striking icy scene—perfect for the Land of Ice—and cant wait to share more Icelandic wonders with you. Completing the full Ring Road circuit in one week was ambitious, but my travel companion Rease and I reveled in Icelands

On my journey from New York to Sri Lanka, I made a brief stopover in London—the city I left in 2010 to explore the world. Back then, I never imagined it would take nearly five years to return. London has always been one of my favorite cities globally. Even after nearly half a decade of worldwide travel, it remains one of just three places Id consider calling home: New York, London, and Berlin. Returning after such a long absence proved deeply emotional. Im not sure if Ill expand on it further,

This week took me across Germany—from Berlin to Düsseldorf, and now to Cologne for the weekend. My time here has been the highlight, a refreshing break from work-heavy days in the other cities. I set out to see if Cologne still held the same magic it did 15 years ago. Our connection runs deep: I first visited at 15 with friends and fell in love with its multicultural vibrancy, a stark contrast to my quiet hometown. I vowed to live here one day, and by 2000, I enrolled at the University of Cologn

Its been months since my last proper beach visit, making this weeks visitor the perfect excuse for a day trip. I eyed new spots like Jones Beach or Long Beach on Long Island, but a SeaStreak ferry special to Sandy Hook convinced me to revisit the Jersey Shore. Sandy Hook delighted last year as a serene NYC escape. Without bikes for everyone this time, activities were limited, but I anticipated a quality beach—rare near the city, especially to impress a Florida beach lover. Just 40 minutes aft

After a week exploring my favorite spots in New York with a visitor from Florida, I planned a memorable send-off before her Saturday departure. Coney Islands Friday night summer fireworks delivered just that. The iconic boardwalk near Luna Park buzzes with families, couples, salsa and break dancers, Russian grandmas from nearby Brighton Beach, cotton candy vendors, and Manhattanites escaping the city hustle. The expansive sandy beach is ideal for sunbathing, volleyball, or relaxation, while th

This week’s Polaroid arrives early, as I’ll share my upcoming travel plans and life updates in tomorrow’s Life Lately post. Stay tuned for details on my next destination and the tough decision behind it.Before heading abroad, I’d planned a summer return to New Jersey’s beaches after loving Sandy Hook in June. Time flew by, leaving little room for Jersey Shore exploration until last weekend. Packed with bikini and sunscreen, I boarded the train—only for rain to start. My beach day was washed out,

New York City pulses with energy, but its relentless pace can leave you craving a recharge. As a seasoned traveler based in Brooklyn, Ive found the perfect antidote nearby: Sandy Hook, a stunning barrier peninsula offering golden beaches, rich history, and easy access from the city. Rushing through Broadways crowds and subway commutes, I recently escaped to this Jersey Shore gem. Tales of its sandy shores piqued my interest, far beyond any TV stereotypes. Friends invited me for a beach day, com

After completing our five-week, 5,000-mile (8,000 km) road trip last week, we reflected during those long drives on our past 100 days. These included sunny days in Lisbon, travels through Ontario and Quebec in Canada, and an epic road trip along the U.S. East Coast and South. Here are our top highlights and lowlights from the last 100 days: Top Travel Moments Beach Days in Cascais, Near Lisbon One of Lisbons greatest assets is the miles of beaches surrounding the city, easily accessible by a 4

Savannah, Georgia, stood out as a top highlight on our New York to New Orleans road trip. Wed long anticipated visiting this historic gem, imagining grand Victorian mansions, quaint squares with locals reading newspapers on benches, and ancient oaks draped in Spanish moss. Our visit surpassed expectations! Savannah quickly became one of our favorite U.S. destinations, captivating us with its intimate small-town vibe, warm locals, independent cafés, and tree-canopied streets ideal for leisurely s

Last week, we marked our 300 days of travel milestone, reflecting on the past 100 days exploring Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Heres an honest look at our best and worst experiences—not all sun and glamour, though much of it was! Top Travel Moments Hiking Volcanoes Central Americas isthmus sits on the Ring of Fire, a volcanic chain along the Pacific. Many volcanoes are climbable. In the last 100 days, we summited two. Dani first tackled Pacaya, an active volcano near Antigua, G

El Cortijo del Lago offers the ideal escape for travelers seeking a few days of solitude away from the hustle of sightseeing. Translating to farmhouse of the lake, this charming hotel delivers exactly that experience. Nestled directly on the shores of Lake Yojoa, it provides breathtaking lake views from spacious rooms and comfortable hammocks on a screened-in porch. With the nearest village, Peña Blanca, just 7 kilometers away, distractions are minimal—save for the 377 bird species that inhabit

Every time we pause to reflect on the past 100 days, were amazed by the sheer volume of experiences packed into just three months. In our pre-nomadic days, 100 days might have slipped by with minimal change—perhaps a few new gadgets, quick city getaways, or lively nights out. Now, as full-time nomads, we cross continents, embrace new lifestyles, navigate languages, and discover fresh insights daily. Over these 100 days, weve explored three countries, driven more than 4,000 miles in three renta

Exactly 300 days on the road—nearly 10 months of backpacking, or flashpacking, as we call it. From Day 1 arriving in Las Vegas last April to today, we cant believe how much life, adventure, experiences—and even work!—weve packed into this time. Though the distance covered is a speck on the world map, our deep immersion in eight countries has given us profound insights into Central America, Mexico, and the Southwestern U.S. The last 100 days began in Guatemala, wrapping up a 10-week stay, inclu

Crossing from Guatemala into Honduras marks a striking cultural shift: the vibrant Mayan world, with its colorful indigenous trajes, gives way to modern styles. Honduran women often dress like those in the U.S. or Europe—jeans, heels, tank tops, and chic blouses. Many men, however, proudly don classic cowboy attire: leather boots, jeans, ornate belts, button-down shirts, and iconic hats. While younger generations add flashy modern touches, the cowboy tradition endures. Watching these vaqueros

As we approached Boone Hall Plantation near Charleston, anticipation mixed with apprehension. We envisioned the iconic Avenue of Oaks, backdrop for films like The Notebook and North & South—idyllic scenes of porch-sitting with iced tea amid gentle Southern breezes.Yet, a profound sadness overshadowed the beauty. By the mid-19th century, over 4 million enslaved people lived in the South, including more than 300 at Boone Hall. How could such inhumanity fuel wealth? It prompts reflection: What

Last week, I uncovered a true hidden gem in New York City—one worthy of any list of under-the-radar spots that most visitors and locals overlook. I finally visited the magnificent Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Morningside Heights on the Upper West Side—the worlds fourth-largest Christian cathedral and a must-see destination. In the adjacent courtyard, I spotted an impressive 40-foot (12m) bronze sculpture: the Peace Fountain, created by artist Greg Wyatt in 1985. This whimsical, bizarre ma

Weve encountered exotic wildlife across Central America—from snakes in Mexico and marine life in Belize to howler monkeys in Guatemala, macaws in Honduras, and spider monkeys in Nicaragua. Yet none matched the sheer abundance we discovered in Costa Rica.From the misty mountains of Monteverde and the Caribbean beaches to the Pacific shores of Manuel Antonio, we spotted sloths, coatis, massive Golden Orb spiders, vibrant frogs and crabs, snakes, iridescent Blue Morpho butterflies, tiny hummingbird